We've heard about the UFC's plans for stadium shows. But a speedway show? It's not as farfetched as you might think.
The organization is considering a show at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, potentially as soon as September, the Las Vegas Review-Journal today reported.
The report cited UFC President Dana White and Las Vegas Motor Speedway President Chris Powell, who are both in support of the idea. Both were inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend, when they discussed the idea.
"I like it," White told the newspaper. "It would be cool as hell, and we have a few fights coming up that could pull it off."
The UFC executive gave no other details about the event or a possible headliner. However, if the Las Vegas-promotion pulls it off, it could be another record-setting event for the world's largest MMA promotion.
The speedway, which currently hosts a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race each March, can accommodate 142,000 spectators. However, according to Powell, they could also erect a temporary bowl in the infield, which could either replace or supplement the existing seating. Either way, video boards would be needed to assure everyone can see the actual fights in the sprawling complex.
UFC 129, which took place in April 2011 at Toronto's Rogers Centre, set the UFC's attendance (55,724) and live gate ($12.1 million) records, and it remains the organization's only stadium show to date. However, White and other officials have long discussed the possibility of a second one, possibly at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, with a champion-vs.-champion superfight serving as a headliner. White has long teased the idea of the show and superfight (which likely would include some combination of welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, middleweight champ Anderson Silva and light-heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones) taking place before year's end.
Such a fight would likely be needed to fill Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which opened in 1971. Of course, with the outdoor venue, officials also risk the possibility of inclement weather, though September traditionally is one of Las Vegas' driest months with just a quarter-inch of rainfall.
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